East China School District News
Every Child.Every Day
November 2, 2020
Important Dates to Remember
November 3 Election Day - No School for All Students
November 11 PLC Early Release for Elementary Students
November 24 Half Day for All Students
November 25-27 Thanksgiving Break
Message from the Superintendent
In the past couple of weeks our community has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases. As recommended by the St. Clair County Health Department and as a reminder to our in-person learning families, if your child is sick, has been exposed to a confirmed, or probable case of COVID or anyone in your family is awaiting test results, please do not allow them to attend school activities, programs or athletics. There currently isn't transmission of the virus within schools and all of our safety protocols remain in place. If you have any questions the St. Clair County Health Department COVID informational hotline is 810-966-4163.
Stay safe & have a great week,
Suzanne
Palms Elementary News
PTO has been busy at Palms Elementary. They have been working on the Nature Trail to update everything. The trails have been cleared, mulch has been placed in the flower beds, an outdoor classroom has been set up, a new sign has been made, and a Nature Trail Library has been donated for outside on the trail.
The students at Palms are having a birdhouse contest. Every birdhouse entered will be put on the trail.
Thank you to all the volunteers for spending their time on the Nature Trail! Also, a huge thank you to TC Tree Service and Grosso Trucking for donating supplies to help the Palms Nature Trail be the best nature trail in the area!
Palms Elementary Staff Spotlight
Mr. Westerhof graduated from Marine City High School, Alma College, and CMU. This is his 36th year of teaching in the East China School District. During this time, he has taught third grade, fifth grade, elementary Spanish, and P.E. His wife, Jeanne, teaches fourth grade at Belle River. They have six children and one grandchild.
He was our P.E. teacher for the first 7 weeks at Palms this year teaching Young 5's, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders. Mr. Westerhof says, "I enjoyed my time at Palms this year because people are friendly and caring. The building has a very positive atmosphere."
Ms. Cornish is at Palms for the next 7 weeks. She graduated from Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, and Eastern Michigan University. She has taught P.E. for 38 years in East China School District. She has been at every elementary school in the district and taught Young 5's through 5th grade.
Ms. Cornish says, " I love Palms Elementary! It is a great place to be!"
Marine City Choir News
On Wednesday November 4, Marine City Choir students will be hosting a special Guest Artist during class time!
Joe Santoni is a professional musician and is the bass vocalist in the popular Disney a cappella group, Dcappella. Their specialty is the huge library of Disney music served up in an exciting a cappella style. Their vocal technique, harmonies, and musicianship are really fantastic!
Joe grew up in Michigan and he graduated from Port Huron Northern HS and from Oakland University. Marine City students are excited to meet Joe and to discuss all kinds of topics; life as a professional singer, the path from high school to college, questions about his training and voice, and probably some fun personal conversations and stories.
Since we are hosting Joe via Google Meet, we expect to be able to record the session and share with all of our Marine City vocal music students. We have already collected three pages of very interesting questions from students!
Front Line Worker Scholarships
Do you know of a high school graduate that was a front-line worker for at least 11 of 14 weeks between April 1-June 30? If so, they are eligible for scholarship money through the community college.
NEW STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Futures for Frontliners Scholarship Program.
What Is It?
Provides scholarships for Michiganders without college degrees who worked in frontline jobs in essential industries during the state COVID-19 shutdown in spring 2020.
Provides tuition-free access to public community colleges to earn an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate.
Uses federal funds to launch the program.
Two Pathways
Path 1: For frontline workers who have a high school degree (or equivalent).
Path 2: For frontline workers who need to complete a high school degree (or equivalent).
Eligibility Requirements
Be a Michigan resident. Worked in an essential industry (at least half time) for 11 of 14 weeks from April 1 to June 30, 2020. Have a high school diploma or equivalent. Have not have previously earned a degree.
Not be in default on a Federal student loan. Complete the Futures for Frontliners scholarship application by Dec. 31, 2020.
How to Apply
Application period: Sept.10-Dec. 31, 2020
Apply here → Scholarship Requirements
Apply to and be admitted to a Michigan public community college.
Enroll at least half time in a Pell-eligible program that leads to an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate.
Complete the current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Enroll and begin classes in the winter, spring, summer, or fall semester of 2021.
Give Your Child A Great Start!
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a state funded preschool program for eligible children who will be four years old on or before September 1st. This program covers the key areas a child needs to be ready for Kindergarten. Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now being accepted! The application and more information can be found by clicking on the links below:
Click the link below for additional information
http://sccresa.org/cms/one.aspx…
Click the link below for an online application
https://docs.google.com/…/1GYmnqXQlzntv1d3kadfXeE…/viewform…
For additional questions, comments, or concerns, please contact:
Chris Klecha, GSRP Enrollment Specialist
cklecha@ecsd.us
(810) 676-1010
Contact Information
Email: info@ecsd.us
Website: www.ecsd.us
Location: 1585 Meisner Road, East China, MI, USA
Phone: 810-676-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/EastChinaSchools